Bord Bia today announced Keelings Salads as the overall winner in the Bord Bia National Horticultural Food Quality Awards for 2007. The prestigious award was presented in Citywest, Dublin as part of Bord Bia’s National Horticultural Food Quality Awards, which represented the achievement of exceptional standards in the production and handling of fresh produce.
Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia commenting at the awards said that “Irish consumers are increasingly aware of the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables in the daily diet which is reflected in the current value of €1.2 billion for the retail market for fresh produce. Quality, appearance, freshness and variety are the key principle cares for grocery shoppers, when buying fruit and vegetables. In addition environmental issues, food miles and local produce are ever more important to the consumer. The Irish fresh produce industry could hardly be more favourably placed in relation to these trends, which will continue to present significant opportunities in the future.”
The Bord Bia Awards are presented to successful participants in recognition of the achievement of the Bord Bia standards established for the horticultural industry. These standards consist of a code of practice which covers the production, handling, packing, preparation, storage and transport of produce. Awards are presented to growers and preparers of produce following independent adjudication by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for compliance to Bord Bia standards.
Presenting the awards, Mr. Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food said “Consumers and retailers alike now demand produce that has been grown, handled, packaged and transported to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, in a clean and environmentally friendly manner. All the awards this evening are presented to those enterprises that have shown that they are ‘best in class’ in their particular area. It is important that we recognise achievement, and celebrate it.”
Irish consumers are continuing to spend more on fresh fruit and vegetables in retail outlets with sales reaching €1.2 billion in 2007, an increase of 6% from 2006. This spend is equivalent to 14% of the total grocery market. Irish horticultural output was valued at €400million at farmgate for 2006.